The Weston A. Price Way

Sunday, February 12, 2012

Tibicos Updated

Tibicos. I still love it. I wrote a blog several months ago that basically said just that and then referred readers to a friend's site to learn how to best make it...best in my opinion, anyway.

Tibicos is a fancy way of saying water kefir, and while many have heard of dairy kefir, maybe have even spotted it in the stores by now, (inferior to home-created, by the way), water kefir...tibicos...has eluded many.

No, it's not as popular. But it really should be. It has detox benefits like kombucha, and gut-building enzymes like dairy kefir. It is effervescent against the tongue and roof of the mouth, and tastes delightful, with as many varieties of tastes as there are fruits...Or only 'brew' it once and add a few dashes of vanilla for a cream soda kind of taste. (Honestly, I have to say here that I much prefer it double-brewed with the second brew adding the organic juice.)

Another great reason to try it is for the aid it can give to those attempting to leave the world of soda behind. There is a theory floating around that seems to make a lot of sense. It states that the reason we love effervescence is because man has always known, it seems instinctively, that lacto-fermented foods are good for us. Lacto-fermented foods generally have some effervescence, which like the carbonation of sodas, can be felt in the mouth as tiny bubbles. The healthy, non-industrialized cultures of the world studied by Weston A. Price have all had some type of lacto-fermented foods eaten as a staple in their diet. In some cultures, it was kombucha, in others, tibicos, beet kvass, dairy kefir, vegetables...and the list goes on. These peoples had no idea what it was within the foods they were eating that made them good for their health, but somehow, they knew their bodies needed what these foods had to offer.

Did they instinctively know that when that little fizz was found within their food or beverage, it was a good thing? We can't know for sure, but it is at least a little remarkable that today, carbonation imitates the feel of lacto-fermented foods. But we need to bear in mind that just because it imitates does not mean it's good. Many believe carbonated beverages, in fact, contribute to bladder cancer.

Since the last time I wrote about tibicos, I have learned another little trick, again, from my friend, Thia. In specialty grocers, you can find bottles of lemonade that have stoppers in them...more than simple corks, these lids have metal bars that when closed properly, really do the job of keeping out the air. Purchased individually in the stores, they need not be bought in bulk online, and without the cost of shipping, they are less expensive than what you can buy on line. You can drink the beverage if you like, or like my friend, pour it down the sink drain...I guess it depends on your taste and convictions about what you consume. There are also some liquor bottles that have this type of air-tight clasp and if you don't partake yourself, you can always let others who do know that you would like their empty bottles. We acquired one bottle and I can hardly wait to get more now that we have experienced the results. It seems the tibicos doesn't continue to ferment as quickly, so it keeps longer at the level you want it, without turning alcoholic or vinegary. And it never loses it's fizz!

A few reminders for a better 'brew':

Be sure to use muscovado sugar. Use organic juice for the second ferment if at all possible. If you want the full effects of a detoxifying beverage, don't include toxic, pesticide-ridden ingredients!

Taste the ferment each day to be sure it's at the sweetness level you like. You may want to start off by not fermenting as long because the sugar is eaten up by the tibicos as it ferments. Even though this is part of the goal, children in particular may need it a bit sweeter at first. Don't try to 'cold turkey' them off sugar, wean them. Tibicos is the perfect aid for this as you adjust the sweetness level just by how long it's allowed to ferment.

Most who can't tolerate the unique taste of kombucha or have a dairy intolerance, find they are happy with tibicos. And remember, the tibicos grains reproduce rapidly, so the cost of your 'proby soda' is far less than you would pay in stores for kombucha or dairy kefir! (I don't think anyone's commercially bottled water kefir yet...There's an idea for some of you entrepreneurs!)

Okay, for those of you who weren't here before, or just want a refresher course, go over to my friend's page, "Easy Raw", to learn how to make your own refreshing, probiotic tibicos beverage, suitable for the taste buds of children...And don't forget to come back and see what else I have to share every now and again!

2 comments:

Funny enough, I thought of water kefir as something European or Asian like kombucha butas it turns out it is decidedly new world. When I started to look more into it, see HERE,it is actually a drink I had as a child called tibicos. Most cultures have alcoholic beverages as part of their tradition, and usually a less alcoholic drink as well.

Hi, Marry, thanks for your input! I am very curious about your finding on tibicos being New World...my research has repeatedly led me to different facts, so this concept is new to me. I checked out the link you provided but didn't see anything there about the origin of tibicos. (?)Something I always look for when I'm looking for validity is spelling error. Not that everyone's not allowed some margin for error, but the article in your link had several...some more important than others. (i.e: "lactose and tolerant" rather than "lactose INtolerant") Things like that make me a little skeptical...It doesn't mean the author is wrong, but it does put them in a questionable position for me.Still, I would be very interested in learning more about the thought that the origin of tibicos is New World if you could send some specific links...I'd love to know more!Blessings,Cindy

GNOWFGLINS-One of My FAVORITES...

PLEASE listen to Robyn O'brien

Cultures for Health

About Me

I love the Lord, plain and simple. I believe He led me to the people that led me to so much of what you read here.
My pages have changed from their beginnings...I no longer center wholly on foods as it is so important to balance the kitchen act with the life act. Find things you love...and NO, it does not have to be just one thing...and DO them! God created us to be creative, so learn, give it your best, and don't be afraid to make a few mistakes and even purposefully color outside of the lines from time to time. Jesus said He came to give us life and that, more abundantly. I'm learning how to take Him up on those words and I'd love your company!

Disclaimer and More About Our Journey

There are inherent dangers in anything to do with cooking and eating. Clee/The Nourished Nana assumes no responsibility/liability for any damages experienced by following instructions, information, recipes or recommendations on this site. (ie: If you forget to use the potholder, don't blame Clee.)

Persons on specific diets are responsible for knowing what they can and cannot consume. Persons who eat food are responsible for reading food labels. Even if a product is recommended here, it doesn't mean the manufacturer hasn't changed ingredients via addition or subtraction. READ LABELS.

The Nourished Nana is about one couple's journey towards improved health via nutrition as well as other life-lifting activities. What works for us may not work for you. We use a lot of Weston A. Price methods, believe most of them are effective if you can find the time for them. More than anything, we are learning that you just can't do life well apart from Jesus Christ, and there are a lot of ways to increase quality of life that go beyond food preparation or what you put in your mouth.

So, this Nana IS nourished, it is true...but more and more, that nourishment is coming from a life well and happily lived and a heart that's learning to give more than it takes.